385th Bombardment Group Stained Glass Window
Details:
Within the church.
Commemorative Object
Two light panels depicting several symbolic images: 1) Plan of original airfield runways 2) Dove of Peace 3) Flights of aircraft 4) Three poplar tress (SWW NAV AID) 5) Tail of B17 with letter 'G' for Great Ashfield 6) Badge of 385th Bombardment Group 7) US Eagle
The 385th Bomber Group, 550th Bomber Squadron of the Eighth Air Force was based at Station 155, Great Ashfield, England. It was known as Vans Valiants after their first Commanding Officer, Colonel Elliott Vandevanter. The 385th BG operated primarily as a strategic bombardment organization until the war ended, striking such targets as industrial areas, air bases, oil refineries, and communications centers in Germany, France, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Norway. The group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for bombing an aircraft factory at Regensburg on 17 August 1943, after a long hazardous flight over enemy territory.
Source of information: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk, http://www.suffolkvillage.info
Source of images:www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk
Monument Text:
Commemorates:
Units:
385th Bomber Group
548th Bomber Squadron, 385th Bomber Group, Heavy
549th Bomber Squadron, 385th Bomber Group, Heavy
550th Bomber Squadron, 385th Bomber Group, Heavy
551st Bomber Squadron, 385th Bomber Group, Heavy
8th Air Force
US Army Air Corps
Wars:
WWII
Other images :
